CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The unsubstantiated, classified information Rep. Devin Nunes leaked this week does not vindicate President Donald Trump's twitter claims that Barack Obama had Trump Tower wiretapped while he was president. It does, however, show that Nunes is Trump's lap dog and should be removed as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating potential connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Nunes should be removed as chairman for tipping off Trump on the information he received; not sharing that information with the ranking committee member; leaking the classified information; damaging the committee's credibility and for having served as member of the Trump transition team. He can no longer be trusted to be impartial.

Wednesday, Nunes called a press conference to say he "recently confirmed that on numerous occasions the intelligence community incidentally collected information about US citizens involved in the Trump transition." He then went to the White House and briefed President Trump on the information.

Nunes said a source had given him documents detailing legal surveillance of targets of FISA warrants. The Trump associates were picked up in the surveillance incidentally. That happens when the target of the warrant is talking on the phone with the individual, or simply mentions the persons name when talking to someone else.

In his press conference, Nunes objected to the Trump associates names being improperly unmasked in the documents. But the House Intel committee's ranking member, Rep Adam Schiff, said Nunes had told him most of the names were in fact masked, and that Nunes said he was able to deduce who they were having served on the transition team.

Nunes complained about leaks, but then turned around and leaked classified information.

Nunes did not name his source or provide any proof of his claims. Before holding his press conference and briefing Trump, Nunes never shared the information with the ranking member of the committee, as he is required to do.

Schiff said Nunes "will need to decide whether he is the chairman of an independent investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House, because he cannot do both.

"It was my hope that our investigation could be conducted properly," Schiff added. "It's still my hope that this investigation should be conducted properly, but unfortunately the actions of the chair throw that very much in doubt.

Senator John McCain said Nunes' actions were "very disturbing" and that he had "not seen anything like it." "It's a bizarre situation. I think this back and forth and what the American people have found so far is that no longer does Congress have the credibility to handle this alone," said McCain while calling for an independent commission.

Former CIA chief of staff Jeremy Bash said "the job of the committee is to do oversight over the executive branch --not to bring them in to their investigation or tip them off to things they may have been looking at."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi charged that "by being a stooge of the president of the United States, (Nunes) has demonstrated very clearly that there is no way there can be an impartial investigation under his leadership on that committee."

Thursday, Nunes apologized to committee members, but he still did not provide them or the ranking member, Schiff, the information he provided Trump. Democrats on the committee have demanded to see it by today.

When asked if he felt vindicated by Nunes' revelations, Trump said, "I somewhat do.I must tell you I somewhat do. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found."

The White House, right-wing and Russian media, quickly promoted Nunes' comments as supporting Trump's claims that president Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, when in fact they don't.

Nunes failure to inform the committee and reaction from the White House just fed the suspicion that Nunes' actions were a planned stunt to give Trump cover on his wiretap claims, cloud the waters and distract from James Comey's testimony before the committee.

In addition to being a member of Trump's transition team, Nunes was approached by Reince Priebus last month and urged to "knock down" stories about the Trump campaign and Russia, and Nunes then proceeded to try and do so in press interviews.

The disturbing stories coming out about Paul Manafort's financial ties to Russia and Ukraine and Nunes' behavior, further demonstrate the urgent need for an independent commission to be appointed.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has volunteered to testify before the House Intelligence Committee in their investigation into President's Trump alleged ties to Russia. Former aides Carter Page and Roger Stone have also agree to face the committee. Meanwhile, intelligence committee chair Devin Nunes and ranking member Adam Schiff have accused each other of interfering with the investigation. CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues has the latest.

Friday on the NewsHour, Republicans suffer a defeat as President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan pull the GOP's health care bill, lacking votes needed to replace the Affordable Care Act. Also: how investigating connections between the Trump campaign and Russia split the House Intelligence Committee, Shields and Brooks analyze the week in politics, and a sequel to the '90s hit

Is Berlin going to build a 5th generation fighter?

Germany and Airbus Defense and Space are working on the initial stages of a new program to replace Berlin’s long-serving fleet of the Panavia Tornado bombers and complement the Luftwaffe’s Eurofighter Typhoon air superiority fighters.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS)—as the Bundeswehr program is called—would likely be a system of systems that combines manned and unmanned elements. According to a report in Jane’s, the Bundeswehr’s requirements are aiming for the FCAS to be operational in the 2030-2040 time frame. Thus, Airbus is focusing on the best technologies that would available for an aircraft that could be ready by then.

"The German government asked Airbus to consider alternatives for a Tornado replacement that will be complementary with the Eurofighter,” Alberto Gutierrez, head of the Eurofighter program told myformer colleague Gareth Jennings last year.

“In principle, it could be a system of systems - either a manned and unmanned combination. [We have determined that unmanned combat air vehicles] UCAVs will not be at technology state ready by 2030-40 to support Eurofighters. It could be optionally manned, with two crew - one for command and control [and one pilot].”

Because of the relatively short timelines involved, the Germans will try to use as many existing technologies as possible for their program. Early concept drawing of the FCAS seem to indicate that the new German aircraft will be twin-engine stealth aircraft similar in concept to other fifth-generation fighters that are starting to emerge around the world.

It’s not clear if the Germans will team up with other European nations to develop the FCAS or even if the Bundestag will appropriate enough money to see the program through to fruition, but Berlin does have the technical wherewithal to develop its own aircraft. The German aerospace industry has not produced a full-scale combat aircraft since the end of the Second World War, but the country has an advanced industrial base and could reconstitute such a capability relatively quickly. It’s really just a matter of if Germany wants to spend more money on defense.

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The former chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence says it would be highly unusual for any raw intelligence transcripts to reach the White House, and he says if any “incidental” surveillance that did go to political operatives ...

Despite touting himself as a world-class deal-maker, President Trump was unable to broker a deal with Republicans on health care. CBS News White House correspondent Margaret Brennan joined CBSN to discuss Trump's reaction.

Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! http://bit.ly/1OQA29B

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Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has volunteered to testify before the House Intelligence Committee in their investigation into President's Trump alleged ties to Russia. Former aides Carter Page and Roger Stone have also agree to face the committee. Meanwhile, intelligence committee chair Devin Nunes and ranking member Adam Schiff have accused each other of interfering with the investigation. CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues has the latest.

Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! http://bit.ly/1OQA29B

---
CBSN is the first digital streaming news network that will allow Internet-connected consumers to watch live, anchored news coverage on their connected TV and other devices. At launch, the network is available 24/7 and makes all of the resources of CBS News available directly on digital platforms with live, anchored coverage 15 hours each weekday. CBSN. Always On.

Don't Forget—Trump's Biggest Problem Is Still RussiaDaily Beast
The more new information surfaces, the more inescapable it seems that “associates” of Donald J.Trump, when he was a candidate for president, coordinated with Russian operatives or their cutouts to coordinate the release of information damaging to the ...and more »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of U.S. forces in Africa told reporters on Friday there was an "undeniable" link between Russia and powerful Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, underscoring U.S. concerns about Moscow's deepening role in Libya.

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The statistical effects of the October 28 Letter | Federal Bureau of Investigation - NYT

"Many good questions could and should al-zo be asked when Mr. Comey testifies in the closed session of the House Intelligence Committee next week... Comey's overall "motivations" might be complex and and at the same time simple: the security of the country. The details of these complexities are not easy to read..." - by Michael Novakhov - 4.25.17